Reborn as Mihawk's son-one piece

The moon hung high above the endless ocean, casting its silver light across the water. The soft creak of wood and the rhythmic lapping of waves against the hull were Ezra's only companions. It had been days since his encounter with the pirates, and the adrenaline from that clash had long since faded. Now, there was only the quiet hum of the sea—and the weight of solitude.

Ezra leaned against the railing, gazing at the stars. He traced the constellations Mihawk had taught him to navigate by. They were his only guides in the vast, ever-changing sea. The golden scarf his mother had given him fluttered lightly in the breeze, a constant reminder of home. He touched it briefly, letting its warmth comfort him.

Suddenly, the compass on the deck began to spin erratically. Ezra frowned, picking it up. The needle swung wildly, as though pulled by some unseen force. The air grew thick, charged with an energy he couldn't explain. The waves grew restless, churning with a life of their own.

Ezra gripped the helm tightly, steering the ship away from the disturbance, but the sea seemed to have other plans. A sudden gust of wind caught the sails, pushing him toward the horizon at a speed that made the ship groan under the pressure.

Hours later, Ezra's ship entered an eerie stretch of ocean. The water was unnaturally calm, its surface as smooth as glass. The moonlight reflected so perfectly that it felt as if he were sailing through the sky.

"What is this place?" Ezra murmured, his voice barely more than a whisper.

As if in response, a low, melodic hum filled the air. It was faint at first, but it grew louder, surrounding him. The sound was hauntingly beautiful, like a song carried on the wind. Ezra's golden eyes scanned the horizon, searching for its source. Then he saw them: glowing figures beneath the water, their forms shimmering like liquid starlight.

Merfolk.

Ezra's heart raced. He had heard tales of merfolk from Mihawk and Selena, stories of their beauty and danger. Some sailors spoke of their enchanting voices that lured ships to their doom; others claimed they were guardians of the ocean's secrets. Whatever the truth, Ezra knew he had to tread carefully.

One of the figures broke the surface. She was ethereal, her silver hair flowing like water around her delicate face. Her eyes, a deep shade of azure, locked onto Ezra's. Her lips moved, and the song grew louder, wrapping around him like a warm embrace.

"Come closer," her voice beckoned, soft and inviting.

Ezra's grip tightened on the railing. His instincts screamed at him to resist, to stay on his guard. But the song tugged at something deep within him, a curiosity he couldn't ignore.

"Who are you?" he called out, his voice firm despite the unease creeping up his spine.

The mermaid tilted her head, studying him. "A traveler of the seas, like you. But you are different. There is an ancient power in your blood, a strength that even the ocean recognizes."

Ezra stiffened. Her words were unsettling, too precise. "What do you want?"

She smiled, a mysterious curve of her lips. "To test you."

Without warning, the calm sea erupted. Towering waves rose around the ship, and the once-glasslike surface churned violently. Ezra's ship groaned under the force, the mast swaying precariously. He grabbed his sword, planting his feet firmly on the deck.

The merfolk's song changed, its melody sharp and chaotic. From the depths, shadowy creatures emerged—serpent-like beasts with glowing eyes and scales that glimmered like molten gold. They surrounded the ship, circling it like predators stalking their prey.

Ezra's breath quickened. These weren't ordinary sea creatures; they were creations of the merfolk's magic, summoned to challenge him.

"If this is a test, I'll pass it," Ezra muttered, drawing his blade.

The first serpent lunged at him, its jaws wide and filled with rows of razor-sharp teeth. Ezra dodged to the side, slashing upward as the creature's momentum carried it past him. His blade cut through its shimmering scales, and the serpent dissolved into a burst of light, vanishing as quickly as it had appeared.

The other beasts attacked in unison. Ezra moved like a shadow, his movements honed by years of training under Mihawk. Each strike of his blade was precise, each dodge calculated. The deck became a blur of flashing steel and glowing creatures.

One of the serpents coiled around the mast, its body tightening as it tried to bring the ship down. Ezra dashed forward, leaping onto the creature's back. Using his sword as leverage, he pried it loose, sending it crashing into the water below.

The mermaid watched from a distance, her expression unreadable.

"You fight well," she called out, her voice cutting through the chaos. "But strength alone won't save you. Show me your resolve."

The largest serpent rose from the depths, its golden eyes fixed on Ezra. It was massive, its body coiled around the ship like a constricting snake. Ezra's grip tightened on his blade. He could feel the weight of the moment, the gravity of the challenge before him.

Taking a deep breath, Ezra closed his eyes. He let the sounds of the battle fade, focusing on the rhythm of the waves and the steady beat of his heart. When he opened his eyes, there was a clarity in them that hadn't been there before.

The serpent lunged, its jaws snapping shut inches from Ezra. He moved with a speed and precision that seemed almost inhuman, slicing through the air as he aimed for the beast's vulnerable underbelly. His blade struck true, and the serpent let out a deafening roar before dissolving into light, just like the others.

The sea grew calm once more. The glowing figures of the merfolk faded, their song silenced. The mermaid who had spoken to him remained, her azure eyes filled with something akin to respect.

"You have passed," she said softly. "The ocean recognizes you as one of its own. But your journey is far from over, Ezra Dracule. There are greater trials ahead, and the world will not always be kind."

Ezra sheathed his blade, his chest rising and falling with each labored breath. "I don't need kindness," he replied. "I just need to keep moving forward."

The mermaid smiled faintly. "Then go, child of the hawk. The sea will remember you."

With that, she dove beneath the waves, disappearing into the depths. The eerie glow faded, leaving Ezra alone under the starlit sky.

As the ship sailed onward, Ezra leaned against the helm, his thoughts racing. The mermaid's words lingered in his mind, a reminder that his journey had only just begun. The ocean was vast and full of mysteries, but he was ready to face them all.

He tightened the scarf around his neck and set his sights on the horizon, determined to carve his name into the annals of history.